Musicians and promoters take heart: 2004 was as low as it goes. If consumers put their money where their mouth is, expect 2005 to rebound. This according to a new nationwide online survey of 18- to 34-year-olds, which found that 39% of 2004 concert-goers expect to spend more than they did last year in the upcoming concert season.

In addition, one-fourth of people who didn't attend a paid concert last season expect to this season. Barring any unexpected jolts, this could lead to a 23% increase in spending from 2004 to 2005, offering a beleaguered concert industry respite from one of the worst concert seasons on record.

The summer 2004 season was so poor -- experiencing as much as a 40% dip by some estimates -- that a team of student researchers at Boston University's College of Communication undertook to find out why the dip happened in the first place and whether there was hope for a comeback.

According to their survey, the dip was the result of significant concertgoer disappointment: 52% of those surveyed believed that there are not as many artists they want to see in concert anymore, while 72% believe that ticket prices are just too high. Even more telling is the fact that an overwhelming 70% feel that ticketing agencies make a "fortune" from concerts.